As Tokyo Disney Resort struggles to hire and keep Cast Members on board, the resort has pushed for automation in multiple sectors since 2019. Replacing manned order stations with touch screens was piloted in 2020 at Pan Galactic Pizza Port, and rolling drink carts resort-wide have almost entirely been supplanted by highly-themed vending machines. Now it seems photography Cast Members are next in line to go, with automated cameras coming online at the Village Greeting Place at Tokyo DisneySea today.
Starting today, guests meeting Duffy the Disney Bear at the Village Greeting Place will have their photo taken by automated cameras located at three different locations in the greeting space, to allow for different angles and timings. In order to view and purchase these photos, guests must register a physical photo key card or use a QR code on the Tokyo Disney Resort App to register. Guests scan this code at the display near the greeting space’s exit and their photos will be registered within 90 minutes.
Guests visiting will have 30 days to purchase their photos, and may purchase downloads for ¥1800 ($13.62) for up to four photos from throughout their day, including at character greetings. Prints are also available for purchase in the park or on the Disney Photo order website. A Disney PhotoPass-like unlimited service is not available in Japan.
The Tokyo Disney Resort website is unclear as to whether guests may still ask the attending Cast Member to use their personal phone or camera to take a photo.
Similar automated cameras were installed at Walt Disney World character greetings in 2019, which were met with widespread public backlash including a petition with more than 80,000 signatures.
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